Gold mining in the savannah region of northern Brazil (Roraima) has increased dramatically since 1989. Elemental mercury is used to extract gold from sediment. Mercury released into the Amazon aquatic ecosystem may convert into the organic form and bioconcentrate in the food chain, posing a hazard for fish-eating peoples such as some of the Makuxi. This survey compared blood organic mercury levels among Makuxi villagers along mined (Rio Cotingo) and unmined (Rio Surumu) rivers. Seventy-five blood samples were obtained from villagers who did not participate in gold mining or processing procedures in three Makuxi villages: Maravilha (heavily exposed), Limão (limitedly exposed), and Matarucca (minimally exposed). Blood was analyzed for total and inorganic mercury content by cold vapor spectrophotometry. Mean blood organic mercury levels among the villagers of Maravilha, Limão, and Matarucca were 31.3 mg/L, 9.3 mg/L, and 2.0 mg/L, respectively (p = 0.001). The authors conclude the gold mining process is contaminating the environment of Roraima and may pose a health hazard to its fish-eating populations, such as the Makuxi people.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/oeh.1996.2.3.165 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Discriminative ion detection of Hg and Cu and selective recognition of PO ions: Real time monitoring in food and water samples and molecular keypad lock integration.
Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc
January 2025
Supramolecular Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal, Srinivasnagar, Mangalore, Karnataka 575 025, India.
A series of sensors, designated S3R1-S3R4, were designed and synthesized for the detection of PO ions and toxic metals, specifically Hg and Cu ions. The colorimetric detection of PO ions using these sensors exhibited a distinct visual color transition from yellow to purple in organo-aqueous media. The intrinsic cavity-like structure in the thiosemicarbazide-based derivative S3R4 significantly enhances the binding affinity for Hg and Cu ions in organic media.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSustainable removal of gaseous Hg using sulfur functionalized biochar: Adsorption experiment and life cycle assessment.
Chemosphere
January 2025
Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea University Sejong Campus, 2511 Sejong-ro, Sejong City, 30019, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:
Maximizing the sorption capacity of gaseous Hg by sulfur-functionalized biochar can lead to increased energy consumption and the production of secondary environmental pollutants such as greenhouse gases. This study evaluates the environmental impact of producing sulfurized biochar through a life cycle assessment (LCA), weighing these impacts against the benefits of enhanced Hg removal efficiencies. The biochar's Hg adsorption capacity, which ranges between 3 and 22 μg-Hg/g-biochar, is influenced by several factors: it increases with higher sulfur loading (0-15 %), higher O levels (0-21 %), and longer pyrolysis times (1-5 h).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffects of microorganisms, temperature and irradiation on the stability of dissolved okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-1 in seawater.
Mar Environ Res
January 2025
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.
Diarrhetic shellfish toxins (DSTs) are widespread in marine environments, posing potential threats to marine ecosystems, shellfish aquaculture, and human health. Despite their prevalence, knowledge of the stability of dissolved DSTs in seawater is still limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of bacteria, temperature, and irradiation on the stability of dissolved okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX1) in seawater.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnhanced simultaneous voltammetric detection of lead, copper, and mercury using a MIL-101(Cr)-(COOH)@MWCNTs modified glassy carbon electrode.
Anal Chim Acta
February 2025
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Galala University, New Galala City, Suez, Egypt. Electronic address:
Background: Electrochemical methods, particularly those utilizing sensors, offer distinct advantages over classical analytical methods. They are cost-effective, compatible with mass fabrication, suitable for remote sensing, and can be designed as handheld analyzers. In this context, MIL-101(Cr)-(COOH)₂@MWCNTs was utilized for the first time as a modifier for GCE for the sensitive voltammetric detection of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Hg(II).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImpact of sediment resuspension on near-bottom mercury dynamics: Insights from a Baltic Sea experiment.
J Hazard Mater
January 2025
Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Department of Marine Chemistry and Biochemistry, Powstańców Warszawy 55, Sopot 81-712, Poland.
Marine sediments are major sources of legacy pollution, capable of releasing toxic mercury (Hg) into the water column when disturbed. This study evaluated Hg remobilization from surface sediments during resuspension events by examining sediment properties, Hg concentrations, and speciation. Research was conducted in the southern Baltic Sea, representing diverse environmental conditions and human impacts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!